Foundation of our Statue of Liberty made from stone from Cassis

Cassis is a town on the Mediterranean Coast about 22 kilometers east of Marseille.

It is a port, not the kind of harbor used by large freighters and cruise ships, but an intimate haven that is perfect for fishing boats and excursion boats that hold 20 or so tourists.

Surrounded by limestone cliffs, this busy waterfront is known for its private beaches, a few dedicated to nudists, astonishing views that allow the most amateurish of photographers to produce amazing pictures and an abundance of cafes offering delicious seafood.

Their wine was the first to receive the coveted Appellation D’origine Controllee in 1936, and surprisingly, Cassis is noted for its white wine in a region of reds and rose’s.

For all of its charm Cassis is mainly frequented by native French. It seemed to be ‘where the locals go’. At least, that was true when we were there at the end of September.

The weather was what one would expect in the south of France in mid-summer, warm enough to lure many swimmers into the sea and hot enough to cause me to seek shelter from the sun.

Like so many seaside resorts, one of its main entertainments is strolling about. Some had their well-behaved dogs on leash, others carried their precious pets lest they tire. They ignored their animal’s deposits on the sidewalks which I found most thoughtless. There was more than one squished down pile with a foot print. The sidewalk cafes were packed with patrons who stare with the unblinking concern of a child as you pass by and the ice cream parlor had a long line of potential customers who had to choose from a multitude of flavors. They gave you a Lilliputian-sized spoon, so you could eat a dime-sized bite at a time.

There were family groups around, baby buggies, older couples walking arm in arm, the occasional tourists from the Netherlands, obvious with their distinct difference of language.

This is a most pleasant and relaxing place.

Here in the Carolinas, we have sand dunes and beaches, a gradual introduction to the sea.

In Cassis, there are harbors with beaches, but they are small, private bits of land surrounded by formidable stone cliffs that rise straight up from the water, one as high as 240 meters.

Rock climbers come from all over Europe to take on the challenge. Small boats take them to the base of the cliffs and up they go.

One enterprising explorer dove into one calanque, as the sheltered inlets are called, to discover an underwater entrance to what are now named the Cosquer Caves where he discovered drawings on the wall of all sorts of animals and found hand paintings they have now dated back 27,000 years. It is difficult to fathom artwork done so many eons ago.

I was impressed when they said the port of Cassis dated back to 500 BC. Cassis may be smallish and not have the sophistication of St. Tropez, but throughout the centuries, it has contributed to world famous sites.

The cliffs of Cassis have been quarried and used in the quays of Alexandria, Algiers, Piraeus and of its nearby neighbor, Marseille.

On Oct. 28, 2011, we celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the government of France to the people of America.

How appropriate that the stone of Cassis, a rock with its beauty and durability should have been selected for the base of this symbol of hope and freedom recognized by people everywhere.

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